Datil Man Pleads Guilty to Retaliating Against a Federal Employee

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – A Datil man pleaded guilty in federal court to retaliating against a federal employee by knowingly filing a false notice of lien against their property in the amount of $20 million.

In his plea agreement, Trapper Killsmany, formerly known as David Goldsmith, 56, admitted that he filed a false notice of lien with the Catron County Clerk’s Office against the property of employees of the United States Social Security Administration. This action was in response to the employees’ performance of their official duties. The lien was false because the listed debtors had no financial relationship with Killsmany and therefore owed no debt or other obligation to him.

Previously, Killsmany had filed fraudulent liens in Alaska, claiming that seven federal employees owed him $950 million in damages. Although he was not criminally charged for filing these fraudulent liens, the United States sued Killsmany and obtained a default judgment in federal court. This judgment prohibited him from filing liens without prior court approval.

The Court ordered that Killsmany remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

At sentencing, Killsmany faces 10 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Killsmany will be subject to up to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of Catron County Sheriff’s Office and the Social Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.